Lessons in color

Once again I participated in Kaffe Fasset's knitting and quilting classes  at the Stichin' Post in Sisters, Oregon.    I admire Kaffe for his work with color, and although I've never actually completed a quilt, I enjoy the process of design.   

I'm afraid this is my mother's curse.   When I was three, my mother decided to make me a down vest.   I was so excited for my puffy red bandana print vest-to-be... I waited... and waited... and waited and then about 5 years ago, I found that vest, carefully packed in a little project bag in my mother's sewing closet -beautifully cut and never stitched.    My mother collects far more fabric than she'll ever use and so far... well I may have surpassed her collection and I'm about half her age.

 I was first introduced to Kaffe's work through the book "Glorious Interiors"  sometime in the mid-90's.   I loved  his fearless approach to design, color, and pattern.   It was unlike anything I had ever seen, so the opportunity to learn directly from him is pretty cool.    This year I planned for the class and bought fabric & yarn ahead of time with some general idea of direction.    Somehow, no matter how hard I might try to go soft or muted, I end up with lively hot colors.   I suppose they make me happy in what can seem a dismal world.   This is probably why I like gardening.    I ended up with something a bit lively and I'm enjoying it enough to finish. Having a SPACE to work in makes all the difference -sewing in a 25 foot trailer is not something I recommend.

On the knitting end... our assignment was to knit a swatch from one of his book's and bring it to class.   We would continue knitting in class with Kaffe's direction.   I went with damask flowers from Kaffe's Pattern Library.   The end result was this: 

I have never had a talent for drawing or painting, but I am reminded that a palette can take so many forms.   I found this clematis and fell in love with the color, so it is my latest addition to the garden.